National Hot Dog Day brings out foodies and plenty of napkins

MOBILE, Alabama -- Chili, cheese, pickles, onions, sauerkraut, mayonnaise, mustard or ketchup, no matter how you top it hot dogs are an American favorite.

National Hot Dog Day brought out hungry hot dog lovers and plenty of napkins. At each location AL.com visited, patrons said their restaurant's "dog" was the best. But when it came to telling the secrets of hot dog success, the bosses weren't spilling the ingredients.

"It's years of practice and a good crew," Dew Drop Inn owner Powell Hamlin said.

Chris Springer, who's been visiting the Dew Drop Inn off of Old Shell Road for 20 years, said it's a combination of the chili and toasted bun that makes the dog stand out. "I eat here even when it's not National Hot Dog Day because the dogs are amazing," Springer said.

"I love them, they're the best," said April May, who visited the Dew Drop Inn for lunch with several co-workers from Premier Medical Group. "Typically, if I want a hot dog I'm coming here."

Al's Hotdogs and Other Fine Foods was also bustling during lunch on Wednesday. "They're good...they're made to order," Jill Holley said as she enjoyed a hot dog with her son Matt.

Al's wife, Yvonne Kay, said the restaurant was located in downtown Mobile for three decades before it moved about nine years ago to the location on Airport behind Applebee's. Elizabeth Cantin said she's followed Al's throughout the years because the hot dogs are the "best ones in Mobile."

Al's secret? "All the love they put into making their foods," Cantin said.

Sonic celebrated the day by selling hot dogs for $1. Carl Johnson sat outside the Spring Hill Avenue location with friends and chowed down on an all American dog and a chili cheese dog, and said he'd visit Sonic again for dinner.

Where do you get your favorite hot dog? Tell us in the comments, or take the poll.